Queensland to host biggest game of Rugby League World Cup 2017

Queensland will host rugby league’s showpiece match of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup with the final to be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane has also secured one of two semi-final games, while fans in Townsville and Cairns will have a front row seat to the World Cup when it heads north for six pool matches. 

Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones said Queensland had scored the major games of the World Cup, reinforcing the State’s standing as the home of rugby league.

“This is a major coup for the state and will focus the attention of millions of rugby league fans on Queensland,” Ms Jones said.

“The tournament is expected to attract tens of thousands of interstate and international visitors and generate up to 120,000 visitor nights for Queensland.

“I look forward to Queenslander Mal Meninga and his Kangaroos retaining the World Cup on home soil and claiming the inaugural Paul Barrière Trophy, named after the founding father of international rugby league.”

Ms Jones said rugby league had strong links with regional Queensland and the games in Townsville and Cairns would bring North Queensland close to the action.

“Townsville will host a match between the USA and Fiji Bati and will also stage a double-header when the USA return against a European qualifier and Fiji take on another European qualifier,” she said.

“Cairns will also host a double-header between Scotland and Tonga, and a clash between two European qualifiers in round one.

“Samoa and Scotland will contest the third pool match in Cairns.

“As Queenslanders, we are proud to host the World Cup’s biggest games, which helps drive visitation, supports jobs and fosters pride in our state.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Rugby League World Cup 2017 Michael Brown said the support of the Queensland Government would give more fans the chance to see the world’s best players battle for the Paul Barrière Trophy.

“Queenslanders have a very proud history of supporting rugby league and we know these passionate rugby league communities will embrace hosting the sport’s pinnacle event in their own back yard,” Mr Brown said.

“In planning this tournament, we made a deliberate decision to take the Rugby League World Cup to more fans than any World Cup has done before. With the support of the Queensland Government we will give fans in both Cairns and Townsville the opportunity to see World Cup action.

“The Rugby League World Cup 2017 will be the greatest sporting event in Australia next year and we look forward to working with the Queensland Government to deliver an event that will entertain the world, inspire communities and celebrate Rugby League.”

Queensland’s Rugby League World Cup 2017 matches were delivered in partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland, Cairns Regional Council, Townsville City Council, Brisbane Marketing and the Rugby League World Cup.

For more information visit www.rlwc2017.com

Media: Matt Jutsum 0408 998 940